Wet Wings are a duo from New Zealand and are heading to Melbourne to play solo show of their own and also support Mountain Man. Skin to Soil is their debut Ep that was released late last year.

When I close my eyes and block out the light, opening track "Beach Party" sends visuals to my head of a beach party winding down as the sun rises. Lucy’s vocal loop sending an eerie and sombre tone throughout the song until the mood picks up half way through, when electronic elements enter the fold. Layering is used extensively and purposefully by the duo, but at the same time never adding too many layers to overwhelm the listener and also enough to immerse the listener in their delicate soundscapes. Droning keyboards are used as a backdrop to carefully executed vocal loops, combining and providing a further backdrop for the more discernible lyrics of the song.

The combination of male and female vocals in harmony is possibly one of the greatest sounds in music. Wet Wings execute this combination well, providing a aurally enjoyable experience. Examples of this are present throughout the EP but a stand out track is "On a Journey", the contrasting vocals blending yet pushing and pulling ever so slightly bringing each other out from the other layers.

The final track of the EP "Running Like a Man", features a repeated underlying staccato notes that guide you through the track. The vocal roles of Lucy and Darian switching as the song progress, taking turns at the separate turns in singing “I’m running like a man” whether it has anything to do with the title of the song or not. The subtle transfer from femininity to masculinity is beautiful and even then the frailty in Darian’s voice is ever present as it overshadows the voice that shows much more confidence that started the track.
Hopefully a long player from the Wellington duo isn’t too far away, expanding on the beautiful collection of songs that is the Skin to Soil EP. With the upcoming shows in Australia they are sure to make some waves.

Review Score: 8.5/10

Thursday 13th January: Bar Open, Melbourne with Otouto and The Ancients, free

Friday 14th January: The Workers Club, Melbourne with Tiger Choir, Tantrums and Parking Lot Experiments, $10

Saturday 15th January: The Toff In Town, Melbourne supporting Mountain Man (US)